Reusing Secondaries??

[tbone1234]

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Hey guys,

So I've asked this question before, but I've gotten mixed responses, so I wanted to ask it to my fellow reapplicants.

I applied thru TMDSAS last cycle and I thought I knocked my secondaries out of the park. They sound really great and convey exactly what I wanted them to say, and the wording is exactly how I want them to be.

Would it be okay to reuse the same secondaries if I got no interview invites?? I might add some stuff to them, but I plan on leaving the same essay and just adding a couple words here and there.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help!

 

[rambo1234]

Hey Tbone,

I'm in the same boat. After working very hard at my secondaries, I feel like I described myself in the best way I could. Now, I'm applying again and am also thinking about reusing my secondary answers. I honestly can't see what I could say differently. Hope to hear from anyone else. Thanks!

 

[the humming sea]

The answer is school dependent. When I called my top choice and asked this same question they said that it would reflect poorly on me because adcoms would have the previous cycle's application in front of them.

Do what you will, but I have to agree with this admissions staffer. In the game of trying to show growth as a re-applicant, I can't think of many ways to show less growth.

However, if the school doesn't have access to old applications, than why not?

 

[Linda Abraham]

Just say no. Don't do it. Reusing the same essays verbatim or with minor word changes screams stagnation and laziness. Write new essays that show case this year's growth and maturation while keeping a few of the best stories from your original essays.

Best,
Linda

 

[mommy2three]

use new stories....highlight different aspects of yourselves.
i am sure there is something in the last year tahtyou coudl talk about some sort of experience that you could talk about or expound upon that has changed you in some way.

as was previously mentioned, do not reuse old secondary essays......adcoms do see these from year to year and this can reflect badly on you.

 

[LifeTake2]

If you didn't get any interviews then one of 2 things knocked you out of contention.

Your primary/PS or your secondaries.

I know you feel you wrote amazing secondaries but did you get any feedback from anyone affiliated with a medical school?

While I'm not a re applicant, I'd have to say that submitting the same essays that didn't get you an interview last year is not going to get you one this year.